Reports that Ukraine shot down a Tu-22M3 bomber for the first time 300 kilometers from Russia could force the Kremlin to “change the way they conduct air strikes,” a security expert says I.
The supersonic missile carrier, often used to carry out deadly missile attacks on Ukraine and believed to be worth about $40 million, crashed into a field in the Stavropol region of southwestern Russia.
This month, a Russian A-50 aircraft was attacked over Russia’s Krasnodar region and another A-50 aircraft over the Sea of Azov, with losses reported to Russia of around $350 million (£281 million).
Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at Chatham House I This development may prompt Russia to reconsider its air strategy.
“Russian pilots have witnessed the loss of various high-value aircraft,” he said. “They will react nervously to the news.”
Mr Giles also stressed the importance of the crash site being “deep into the heart of Russia”.
“The theory is that the crash site was well beyond where they were. [Ukraine] It can be reached, which means something more interesting could happen,” he said. “It shows that Ukraine has the ability to penetrate deep into Russian airspace.
“This may force them to [Russia] Again changing the way they conduct air strikes. “
Ukraine’s military intelligence service (GUR) said on Friday that the Russian plane was shot down about 300 kilometers from Ukraine “in the same manner as it was shot down previously”. [a] Russian A-50 long-range radar detects and controls aircraft.”
Reports indicate that Russia has fewer than 60 high-value Tu-22M3 aircraft, each worth approximately $40 million.
GUR said the bomber “carried out a missile attack on Ukraine on the evening of April 19.”
Unconfirmed social media videos showed a fighter jet with its tail on fire spiraling towards the ground.
I The footage could not be independently verified. The Russian Defense Ministry has been contacted for comment.
Although the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said the crash was caused by a “technical failure,” Ukrainian Air Force Commander General Mykola Oreshuk claimed: “For the first time, the anti-aircraft missile force of the (Ukrainian) Air Force… destroyed a Tu- 22M3 long-range strategic bomber – equipped with Kh-22 cruise missiles, used by Russian terrorists to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities.”
Oreshuk once again called on Western countries to provide Ukraine with “more means, more missiles” to “better protect frontline territories from Russian terrorism.”
Mr Giles, meanwhile, highlighted how deficiencies in Ukraine’s air defense capabilities had “had devastating consequences… for innocent civilians”.
Vladimir Zelensky said Russian bombers destroyed a key power plant in Kyiv in the village of Tripilia earlier this month as Ukraine ran out of defensive missiles.
After a wave of missiles hit dozens of Ukrainian and civilian buildings, the president told US news outlet PBS on Tuesday: “There were 11 missiles flying. We destroyed the first seven and then [the remaining] Four destroyed Tripilia. Why? Because there are zero missiles. We no longer have enough missiles to defend Tripilia. “
Kyiv says it needs 25 Patriot missile systems to properly protect energy systems in Ukraine
The US House of Representatives will vote on a $61 billion Ukraine aid bill – a bill that has so far been stalled by Republicans.
Giles said Saturday’s vote was important for Ukraine’s future air defense capabilities, “Ukraine and Europe as a whole.”
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